The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-26
THE GAME OF POLITICS.
TRIALS AND REGULATIONS OF
CONGRESS MEN.


Time Was Put in at the Recent Little
Preparatory Picnic.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-Congress adj
iourned on Dec - for the holidays, having
had only a little preparatory picnic In
fact, to chat around the circle; to shake
hands with old friends and new; to well
come constituents from home, show them
around the town, and make believe you are
dreadfully glad to see them, when, the truth
is, you cannot help wishing that not con-
stituent would set foot in Washington dur
ing your term; to wonder when the Speaker
will have made up the list of committees;
20 speculate as to how man is going to
not save anything out of his salary but
manage to live upon it in respectable fash
ion in this Cxtravagant town; these little
items have thus far monopolized most of the
time of Congressman, old and new. There
are about 200 new members, and l25 Old
members. These two elements must have Il
little time to amalgamate, the one to getrid
of a certain natural ditfidence, and the other
TO enjoy the frequent blunders of the new
conner and, moreover, to endeavor to SO
manipulate him that he may secure him for
his own political purposes when the time
shall come.
THE GAME OF POLITICS.
If there ever was great, deep, willy and
often dangerous game. which proves more
fascinating TO brilliant men than anything
else. it is the game of politics. Few are the
great players; few win the guerdon for
which they strive during the best years of
their manhood, and many are they who go
down i'll the maestrom without ever having
gained prize Yet still the game goes
forever on, played in all manner of ways,
according to the temperament of the play
er; now adroitly, now boldly, and even reck
lessly. and sometimes it is the latter mode
which wins most victories. Often apparent
recklessness is but a mask for subtle astute-
ness, wuicI, while it bewilders and dazzles
its opponent, throws him at the same time
off his guard.
man may be plotting the deepest
schemes while he sits in the House, cigar in
mouth, and feet on desk, apparently the
most unconcerned, and Indifferent of men,
while his fellow-Tnember, who is, ostensi-
bly,, all attention to the remarks of some
man who is making an exasperating bore of
himself by reading some long -winded pa
per, which his constituents at home have
been urging upon him, is thinking of his
own personal affairs, or figuring up his
gains and losses at poker. All, those con-
10 be surel Convenient stepping stones, by
which man may land himslf in Congress
sional halls, only to find too often that the
platform he has reached is even yet more
slippery than the way he came. Only a
Congressman knows how troublesome his
constituents may be to the man they have
chosen to represent them. Processing to
have full faith in his principles, and pur
poses; in his integrity, clear-sightedness,
II. - Lee. l.,
the skies before election, no sooner has he
taken his seat in the House, and fairly sec
about business, than they poster him to
death with suggestions, ask him more ia
vors than he could grant were he a mon
arch, and do not hesitate even to bestow
reprimanos, which often loom up into
threats. lu fact, as soon as a Congressman
is really quartered in the capital, he is made
to feel, by the people he has left at home,
very much like naughty boy, who, being
far fr m the paternal roof, must be watched
with Argus eyes lest he 20 astray. We
know of one disconsolate member who has
TO fortify himself every morning with a
glass of something very much stronger than
ginger ale, before he can summon courage
enough to open his mail Never, until he
came here, did he suppose that there could
be so many indefatigable letter-writters
within his district, and so many poor PEN
men. He begins to have the highest opin-
ion of the typewriter, not only as a time
saver in the way of writing letters, but also
for ease in reading them.
WINTER FESTIVITIES.
Winter festivities here have now fairly
begun, and, the holidays once over. the
capital will see one of the gayest seasons it
has ever known. Dinners, teas, receptions,
and balls, will follow each other with be-
wildering succession. There Is delightful
informality about Washington life, which
is quite different from that of New York,
Philadelphia, or Boston. 1t is more like a
Southern city. The spirit of hospitality is
everywhere manifested, and the newcomer
here is greeted wi,ha geniality which makes
one feel at once at home. People do not
stop to ask all about your pedigree,
whether your wealth runs up into the mil
lions. and whe her your costumes are made
in the very latest style, before they extend
yoH their hand in friendship. Still, it cam
not be denied, that as wealth increases
here, something of all this is constantly
decreasing. until the capital OF the nation
promises to become some day only another
fashionable metropolis. Some of the most
prominent people here live in the plainest
houses, and wear the plainest clothes Tai
ent counts not only for something in Wash
inton, but for q great deal And it il reall
dollar does not reign supreme. Perhaps the
Treasury is so full of them here. that we
naturally have a kind Of contempt for so
much superfiuous wealth.
wASHINGToN'S SOCIAL CLUBS.
Washington is famous for its many social
clubs, which are quite outside of the fash
ionable wbirl, and yet which include many
leading society people among their mem
bers. At these clubs is displayed great
deal Of literary, musical and dramatic tai
emit. The Cosmos Club has recently been
discussing the important question whether
buzzards are endowed with the sense of
smell or not. The scientists got decidedly
mixed over the matter, SO that no one, after
hearing both sides of the buzzard business,
knows much more than he did before about
that mysterious bird, except that where
there is prey, he is sure to be there. Which
forcibly reminds us that Washington Just
now is full of buzzard- politicians, who,
Scenting from afar the spoils of Office, are
went to flock hither at this time of year
eager for spoils
One of the most inveterate of these gen
try, a close triedd of the Hon. "Timn
Campbell, Of New York, has called fire.
quently at the White House without being
able to obtain an audience with the Presi-
dent. Very naturally he is disguised, and
begins to think that the years salary he
might obtain with the much-coveted Office
would hardly repay him for his expendi-
lures here while trying to get it.
Forty times have ] cooled me heels on
the frint piozza of the Presidents house, an
divil bit hev ] sane OF that same Grover